Incommunicable Emotions
Chapter five
"Well, that sucks."
"Madame Morrible! I think I've found something."
Glinda walked down the street quickly, coming back to the inn from a day spent shopping.
"My sweet, you're much too stressed. Just take a day off. Go shop, get your hair and nails done, pamper yourself. This life isn't suited for you, dear."
"Darling..? DARLING!"
Glinda's head snapped up, her eyes widening with shock. Chuffrey, overnight bag in hand, was walking briskly toward her. "Oh, fu--"
"Ah, darling! I simply KNEW I'd find you here!" Chuffrey collided with her, smacking his chapped lips to her own. Glinda did her best to hide her disgust. She had become accustomed to sweet, soft kisses, and the harsh smack of his lips was painful and grotesque.
"Tonight, my darling, we're going to celebrate our vacation! The Grand Ballroom is having a ball, and we're both been cordially invited!"
"Oh...that's wonderful." Chuffrey walked with her, making her feel like a dog at show. Parading her, smiling at the people, showing off his gorgeous trophy wife. She had never felt so used in her life.
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The ballroom ceiling glittered and sparkled, cigar smoke wafting up to it. People in gowns and tuxedos ferreted to and fro, talking for hours about things they knew in their hearts didn't matter.
Chuffrey steered Glinda around the room, flashing smile after yellow smile at everyone who happened to glance.
"Glinda! Oh, Glinda!"
Glinda wheeled around at the reedy voice calling her name, barely stifling a gasp of surprise. Madame Morrible, clad in a silvery dress that made her seem a shark, drifting around, waiting for the next unsuspecting fish to swim by.
"Ah, dear, how wonderful it is to see you again! Dear old Shiz..." Sweet words came from her mouth, but Glinda wasn't fooled. A smile of pure satisfaction crinkled Morrible's face, as if she knew exactly what Glinda was planning.
"Yes, um, wonderful to see you too. Could you excuse me..." She wrenched herself from Chuffrey's iron grip and shuffled to the doors, her dress dragging on the sparkling tile.
She escaped into the blessed cool night air, tearing her shoes off and running to the inn she and Elphie shared.